To require a particular jury instruction in Federal civil actions that include a claim for damages based on negligence arising from the transmission of COVID-19.

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Apr 23, 2020

This bill requires a specific jury instruction in civil actions in federal court that include a claim alleging negligence arising from the transmission of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) and a request for damages. Specifically, a court must instruct the jury that negligence may not be found solely on the basis of holding oneself open for business.

Read the summary on Congress.gov

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5] · R–AZ

Committees

Judiciary Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Rescom. González-Colón, Jenniffer [R-PR-At Large]

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Apr 23, 2020
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Apr 23, 2020
Introduced in House
Apr 23, 2020
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Apr 23, 2020 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Jan 3, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.6601 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.6601, 116th Congress: To require a particular jury instruction in Federal civil actions that include a claim for damages based on negligence arising from the transmission of COVID-19.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/6601

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2020-04-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr6601/BILLS-116hr6601ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-03T03:26:22Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.6601 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.6601 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.6601, 116th Congress: To require a particular jury instruction in Federal civil actions that include a claim for damages based on negligence arising from the transmission of COVID-19.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/6601

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2020-04-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr6601/BILLS-116hr6601ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-03T03:26:22Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.6601 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.6601 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.6601, 116th Congress: To require a particular jury instruction in Federal civil actions that include a claim for damages based on negligence arising from the transmission of COVID-19.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/6601

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2020-04-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr6601/BILLS-116hr6601ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-03T03:26:22Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.6601 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.6601 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.6601, 116th Congress: To require a particular jury instruction in Federal civil actions that include a claim for damages based on negligence arising from the transmission of COVID-19.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/6601

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2020-04-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr6601/BILLS-116hr6601ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-03T03:26:22Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.6601 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.